SUMMER DAYS .....

It's Summer, and anything fruity is catching my eye !!!!

Growing up, soda was a treat. A single glass with Sunday lunch was all we were allowed. The rest of the time we drank water (in truth, probably not as much as we should have), or we drank orange squash mixed with water.
On arriving here, I was surprised to learn that it was pretty much an unknown commodity .... I can't tell you how many bottles of it, I have brought back from the UK in my luggage !!!
Over time I have become increasingly concerned at the amount of soda Boy Child and Hubby drink ..... they just wont do the water thing, and the thought of all that sugar, makes my toes curl !!! So this past week, I hunted down a few recipes, and decided to give making my own orange squash a try ......

It was a little time consuming (squeezing and zesting 10 oranges isn't for sissies), but well worth the time and effort, and the kitchen smelled delightful. What I got was two and a half bottles (such pretty bottles too) of a lovely tart and refreshing orange squash. It's a little too tart for the boys, so I'm going to make up a bottle of simple syrup, so that they can add a dash of it too the squash and water ..... sweeten it up just a little. I'm planning on trying other fruits and fruit combinations ....... Passion fruit and mango, Lemon lime, to name a few.

While I was on the citrus kick, I found a recipe for Lime Jelly. Last year my canning goodies never saw the light of day. This year I wanted to make at least one new jelly or jam ...... stocks are running a little low !!!

Delicious is all I can say !!! Not too sweet, with the most awesome zingy lime flavor ..... Girl Child has been eating it, on a spoon straight from the jar !!! I think it would be scrumptious as part of a marinade for grilled meat .... we must give it a try :-)

There has also been a lovely moist Lemon Cake that has passed through the doors of my kitchen ..... it didn't survive long enough for pictures !!! As well as scrumptious homemade pizza - I've learned to make pizza dough, and Oh Boy, is it good !!! No more store bought for us !!!!

Hope that you're all having a wonderful Summer ..... it is passing by really fast - TOO fast. The school emails have started to show up in my Inbox again, over the past week ...... not fun !!! I love the slow, lazy days (not the heat !!!) of Summer, spent with my kids :-)